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Genesis 41:20 Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.
<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Transitional//EN" "//www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-transitional.dtd"><html xmlns="//www.w3.org/1999/xhtml"><head><meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html; charset=utf-8" /><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width, initial-scale=1" /><title>Genesis 41:20 Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.</title><link rel="canonical" href="https://biblehub.com/genesis/41-20.htm" /><link rel="stylesheet" href="/new9.css" type="text/css" media="Screen" /><meta property="og:image" content="https://biblehub.com/visuals/11/01_Gen_41_20.jpg" /><meta property="og:title" content="Genesis 41:20 - Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams" /><meta property="og:site_name" content="Bible Hub" /><meta property="og:description" content="Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first." /><script type="application/javascript" 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cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><iframe src="/ad20.htm" width="100%" height="48" scrolling="no" frameborder="0"></iframe></td></tr></table></div></td></tr></table><div id="movebox2"><table border="0" align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><tr><td><div id="topheading"><a href="/genesis/41-19.htm" title="Genesis 41:19">◄</a> Genesis 41:20 <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm" title="Genesis 41:21">►</a></div></tr></table></div><div align="center" class="maintable2"><table border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" align="center"><tr><td><div id="topverse"> <a href="#audio" class="clickchap2" title="Context and Audio Bible"> Audio </a> <a href="#crossref" class="clickchap2" title="Cross References"> Cross </a> <a href="#study" class="clickchap2" title="Study Bible"> Study </a> <a href="#commentary" class="clickchap2" title="Commentary"> Comm </a> <a href="#lexicon" class="clickchap2" title="Lexicon"> Heb </a> </div><div id="leftbox"><div class="padleft"><div class="vheadingv"><b>Verse</b><a href="/bsb/genesis/41.htm" class="clickchap" style="color:#001320" title="Click any translation name for full chapter"> (Click for Chapter)</a></div><div id="par"><span class="versiontext"><a href="/niv/genesis/41.htm">New International Version</a></span><br />The lean, ugly cows ate up the seven fat cows that came up first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nlt/genesis/41.htm">New Living Translation</a></span><br />These thin, scrawny cows ate the seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/esv/genesis/41.htm">English Standard Version</a></span><br />And the thin, ugly cows ate up the first seven plump cows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/bsb/genesis/41.htm">Berean Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/kjv/genesis/41.htm">King James Bible</a></span><br />And the lean and the ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nkjv/genesis/41.htm">New King James Version</a></span><br />And the gaunt and ugly cows ate up the first seven, the fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb_/genesis/41.htm">New American Standard Bible</a></span><br />and the thin and ugly cows ate the first seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb/genesis/41.htm">NASB 1995</a></span><br />and the lean and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nasb77/genesis/41.htm">NASB 1977 </a></span><br />and the lean and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsb/genesis/41.htm">Legacy Standard Bible </a></span><br />and the lean and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/amp/genesis/41.htm">Amplified Bible</a></span><br />And the lean and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/csb/genesis/41.htm">Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the thin, sickly cows ate the first seven well-fed cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hcsb/genesis/41.htm">Holman Christian Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the thin, ugly cows ate the first seven well-fed cows. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/asv/genesis/41.htm">American Standard Version</a></span><br />and the lean and ill-favored kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cev/genesis/41.htm">Contemporary English Version</a></span><br />The skinny cows ate the fat ones. <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/erv/genesis/41.htm">English Revised Version</a></span><br />and the lean and ill favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gwt/genesis/41.htm">GOD'S WORD® Translation</a></span><br />The thin, sickly cows ate up the seven well-fed ones.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/gnt/genesis/41.htm">Good News Translation</a></span><br />The thin cows ate up the fat ones, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/isv/genesis/41.htm">International Standard Version</a></span><br />But those thin, gaunt cows gobbled up the first seven healthy cows! <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/msb/genesis/41.htm">Majority Standard Bible</a></span><br />Then the thin, ugly cows devoured the seven well-fed cows that were there first.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/net/genesis/41.htm">NET Bible</a></span><br />The lean, bad-looking cows ate up the seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nheb/genesis/41.htm">New Heart English Bible</a></span><br />The thin and miserable-looking cows ate up the first seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/wbt/genesis/41.htm">Webster's Bible Translation</a></span><br />And the lean and the ill-favored cows ate up the first seven fat cows:<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/web/genesis/41.htm">World English Bible</a></span><br />The thin and ugly cattle ate up the first seven fat cattle; <div class="vheading2"><b>Literal Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lsv/genesis/41.htm">Literal Standard Version</a></span><br />And the lean and the bad cows eat up the first seven fat cows,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/ylt/genesis/41.htm">Young's Literal Translation</a></span><br /> 'And the lean and the bad kine eat up the first seven fat kine,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/slt/genesis/41.htm">Smith's Literal Translation</a></span><br />And the heifers thin and evil will devour the first seven fat heifers.<div class="vheading2"><b>Catholic Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/drb/genesis/41.htm">Douay-Rheims Bible</a></span><br />And the devoured and consumed the former, <span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/cpdv/genesis/41.htm">Catholic Public Domain Version</a></span><br />These devoured and consumed the first,<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nabre/genesis/41.htm">New American Bible</a></span><br />The gaunt, bad cows devoured the first seven fat cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/nrsvce/genesis/41.htm">New Revised Standard Version</a></span><br />The thin and ugly cows ate up the first seven fat cows,<div class="vheading2"><b>Translations from Aramaic</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/lamsa/genesis/41.htm">Lamsa Bible</a></span><br />And the lean and ill-favored cows ate up the first seven fat cows;<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/hpbt/genesis/41.htm">Peshitta Holy Bible Translated</a></span><br />And the sickly and ill cows ate the seven former fat cows:<div class="vheading2"><b>OT Translations</b></div><span class="versiontext"><a href="/jps/genesis/41.htm">JPS Tanakh 1917</a></span><br />And the lean and ill-favoured kine did eat up the first seven fat kine.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/sep/genesis/41.htm">Brenton Septuagint Translation</a></span><br />And the seven ill-favoured and thin cows ate up the seven first good and choice cows.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/parallel/genesis/41-20.htm">Additional Translations ...</a></span></div></div></div><div id="centbox"><div class="padcent"><a name="audio" id="audio"></a><div class="vheadingv"><b>Audio Bible</b></div><iframe width="100%" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/7ehevn8iSgc?start=10437" title="YouTube video player" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" allowfullscreen></iframe><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><div class="vheadingv"><b>Context</b></div><span class="hdg"><a href="/bsb/genesis/41.htm">Joseph Interprets Pharaoh's Dreams</a></span><br>…<span class="reftext">19</span>After them, seven other cows—sickly, ugly, and thin—came up. I have never seen such ugly cows in all the land of Egypt! <span class="reftext">20</span><span class="highl"><a href="/hebrew/7534.htm" title="7534: hā·raq·qō·wṯ (Art:: Adj-fp) -- Thin, only, altogether, surely. From raqaq in its original sense; emaciated.">Then the thin,</a> <a href="/hebrew/7451.htm" title="7451: wə·hā·rā·‘ō·wṯ (Conj-w, Art:: Adj-fp) -- Bad, evil. From ra'a'; bad or evil.">ugly</a> <a href="/hebrew/853.htm" title="853: ’êṯ (DirObjM) -- Apparent contracted from 'owth in the demonstrative sense of entity; properly, self."></a> <a href="/hebrew/6510.htm" title="6510: hap·pā·rō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A heifer, cow. Feminine of par; a heifer.">cows</a> <a href="/hebrew/398.htm" title="398: wat·tō·ḵal·nāh (Conj-w:: V-Qal-ConsecImperf-3fp) -- To eat. A primitive root; to eat.">devoured</a> <a href="/hebrew/7651.htm" title="7651: še·ḇa‘ (Number-fs) -- Or shibrah; from shaba'; a primitive cardinal number; seven; also seven times; by implication, a week; by extension, an indefinite number.">the seven</a> <a href="/hebrew/1277.htm" title="1277: hab·bə·rî·’ōṯ (Art:: Adj-fp) -- Fat. From bara'; fatted or plump.">well-fed</a> <a href="/hebrew/6510.htm" title="6510: hap·pā·rō·wṯ (Art:: N-fp) -- A heifer, cow. Feminine of par; a heifer.">cows</a> <a href="/hebrew/7223.htm" title="7223: hā·ri·šō·nō·wṯ (Art:: Adj-fp) -- Former, first, chief. Or riishon; from ri'shah; first, in place, time or rank.">that were there first.</a> </span><span class="reftext">21</span>When they had devoured them, however, no one could tell that they had done so; their appearance was as ugly as it had been before. Then I awoke.…<div class="cred"><a href="//berean.bible">Berean Standard Bible</a> · <a href="//berean.bible/downloads.htm">Download</a></div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="crossref" id="crossref"></a><div class="vheading">Cross References</div><div id="crf"><span class="crossverse"><a href="/exodus/7-12.htm">Exodus 7:12</a></span><br />Each one threw down his staff, and it became a serpent. But Aaron’s staff swallowed up the other staffs.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/2-31.htm">Daniel 2:31-35</a></span><br />As you, O king, were watching, a great statue appeared. A great and dazzling statue stood before you, and its form was awesome. / The head of the statue was pure gold, its chest and arms were silver, its belly and thighs were bronze, / its legs were iron, and its feet were part iron and part clay. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/daniel/4-10.htm">Daniel 4:10-17</a></span><br />In these visions of my mind as I was lying in bed, I saw this come to pass: There was a tree in the midst of the land, and its height was great. / The tree grew large and strong; its top reached the sky, and it was visible to the ends of the earth. / Its leaves were beautiful, its fruit was abundant, and upon it was food for all. Under it the beasts of the field found shelter, in its branches the birds of the air nested, and from it every creature was fed. ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/psalms/105-16.htm">Psalm 105:16-22</a></span><br />He called down famine on the land and cut off all their supplies of food. / He sent a man before them—Joseph, sold as a slave. / They bruised his feet with shackles and placed his neck in irons, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/7-11.htm">Acts 7:11-13</a></span><br />Then famine and great suffering swept across Egypt and Canaan, and our fathers could not find food. / When Jacob heard that there was grain in Egypt, he sent our fathers on their first visit. / On their second visit, Joseph revealed his identity to his brothers, and his family became known to Pharaoh.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/job/33-15.htm">Job 33:15-18</a></span><br />In a dream, in a vision in the night, when deep sleep falls upon men as they slumber on their beds, / He opens their ears and terrifies them with warnings / to turn a man from wrongdoing and keep him from pride, ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_kings/3-5.htm">1 Kings 3:5</a></span><br />One night at Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream, and God said, “Ask, and I will give it to you!”<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/13-25.htm">Matthew 13:25-30</a></span><br />But while everyone was asleep, his enemy came and sowed weeds among the wheat, and slipped away. / When the wheat sprouted and bore grain, then the weeds also appeared. / The owner’s servants came to him and said, ‘Sir, didn’t you sow good seed in your field? Where then did the weeds come from?’ ...<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/acts/2-17.htm">Acts 2:17</a></span><br />‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/joel/2-28.htm">Joel 2:28</a></span><br />And afterward, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/1_corinthians/15-41.htm">1 Corinthians 15:41-42</a></span><br />The sun has one degree of splendor, the moon another, and the stars another; and star differs from star in splendor. / So will it be with the resurrection of the dead: What is sown is perishable; it is raised imperishable.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/revelation/17-8.htm">Revelation 17:8</a></span><br />The beast that you saw—it was, and now is no more, but is about to come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. And those who dwell on the earth whose names were not written in the Book of Life from the foundation of the world will marvel when they see the beast that was, and is not, and yet will be.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/isaiah/29-8.htm">Isaiah 29:8</a></span><br />as when a hungry man dreams he is eating, then awakens still hungry; as when a thirsty man dreams he is drinking, then awakens faint and parched. So will it be for all the many nations who go to battle against Mount Zion.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/jeremiah/23-28.htm">Jeremiah 23:28</a></span><br />Let the prophet who has a dream retell it, but let him who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain?” declares the LORD.<span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="crossverse"><a href="/matthew/27-19.htm">Matthew 27:19</a></span><br />While Pilate was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent him this message: “Have nothing to do with that innocent man, for I have suffered terribly in a dream today because of Him.”</div><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a name="tsk" id="tsk"><div class="vheading">Treasury of Scripture</div><p class="tsk2">And the lean and the ill favored cows did eat up the first seven fat cows:</p><div class="vheading">Jump to Previous</div><a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/genesis/41-3.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Cows</a> <a href="/genesis/41-4.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/41-18.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/40-16.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Gaunt</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Ill-Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Ill-Favoured</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Kine</a> <a href="/ezekiel/34-20.htm">Lean</a> <a href="/genesis/41-7.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Thin</a> <a href="/genesis/41-19.htm">Ugly</a><div class="vheading2">Jump to Next</div><a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Ate</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Bad</a> <a href="/genesis/41-26.htm">Cattle</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Cows</a> <a href="/genesis/43-16.htm">Eat</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Fat</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-51.htm">First</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Gaunt</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Ill</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Ill-Favored</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Ill-Favoured</a> <a href="/genesis/41-26.htm">Kine</a> <a href="/genesis/41-27.htm">Lean</a> <a href="/genesis/41-24.htm">Meal</a> <a href="/genesis/41-22.htm">Seven</a> <a href="/genesis/41-23.htm">Thin</a> <a href="/genesis/41-21.htm">Ugly</a><div class="vheading2">Genesis 41</div><span class="reftext">1. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-1.htm">Pharaoh has two dreams.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">9. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-9.htm">Joseph interprets them.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">33. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-33.htm">He gives Pharaoh counsel, and is highly advanced, and married.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">46. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-46.htm">The seven years of plenty.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">50. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-50.htm">He begets children.</a></span><br><span class="reftext">53. </span><span class="outlinetext"><a href="/genesis/41-53.htm">The famine begins.</a></span><br></div></div><div id="mdd"><div align="center"><div class="bot2"><table align="center" width="100%"><tr><td><div align="center"> <script id="3d27ed63fc4348d5b062c4527ae09445"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=51ce25d5-1a8c-424a-8695-4bd48c750f35&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script> <script id="b817b7107f1d4a7997da1b3c33457e03"> (new Image()).src = 'https://capi.connatix.com/tr/si?token=cb0edd8b-b416-47eb-8c6d-3cc96561f7e8&cid=3a9f82d0-4344-4f8d-ac0c-e1a0eb43a405'; </script><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-2'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-ATF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-0' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-3'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-300x250-BTF --> <div id='div-gpt-ad-1529103594582-1' style='max-width: 300px;'> </div><br /><br /> <!-- /1078254/BH-728x90-BTF2 --> <div align="center" id='div-gpt-ad-1531425649696-0'> </div><br /><br /> <ins class="adsbygoogle" style="display:inline-block;width:200px;height:200px" data-ad-client="ca-pub-3753401421161123" data-ad-slot="3592799687"></ins> <script> (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); </script> <br /><br /> </div> </td></tr></table></div></div></div><div id="combox"><div class="padcom"><a name="study" id="study"></a><div class="vheading"><table width="100%"><tr><td width="99%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/41.htm">Study Bible</a></td><td width="1%" valign="top"><a href="/study/genesis/" title="Book Summary and Study">Book ◦</a> <a href="/study/chapters/genesis/41.htm" title="Chapter summary and Study">Chapter </a></tr></table></div><b>Then the thin, ugly cows</b><br>In Pharaoh's dream, the thin, ugly cows represent a period of severe famine. Cows were significant in Egyptian culture, symbolizing fertility and abundance, which makes their emaciated state particularly alarming. This imagery underscores the severity of the impending famine. The use of cows in the dream aligns with the agrarian society of ancient Egypt, where livestock was a measure of wealth and prosperity.<p><b>devoured the seven well-fed cows</b><br>The act of the thin cows devouring the well-fed cows symbolizes the complete consumption of the years of plenty by the years of famine. This reflects the cyclical nature of agricultural societies, where periods of abundance can be quickly overshadowed by scarcity. The imagery of devouring suggests a total and irreversible consumption, emphasizing the severity of the famine. This also foreshadows the need for wise stewardship and preparation, as later advised by Joseph.<p><b>that were there first</b><br>The phrase indicates the sequence of events, with the years of plenty preceding the years of famine. This order is crucial for understanding the narrative and the urgency of Joseph's interpretation and subsequent plan. The precedence of the well-fed cows highlights the opportunity for preparation and the importance of foresight. This sequence also mirrors the biblical theme of God's provision before trials, as seen in other scriptures where God prepares His people for future challenges.<div class="vheading2">Persons / Places / Events</div>1. <b><a href="/topical/p/pharaoh.htm">Pharaoh</a></b><br>The ruler of Egypt who had troubling dreams that needed interpretation.<br><br>2. <b><a href="/topical/j/joseph.htm">Joseph</a></b><br>A Hebrew man, sold into slavery, who rose to prominence in Egypt due to his God-given ability to interpret dreams.<br><br>3. <b><a href="/topical/e/egypt.htm">Egypt</a></b><br>The setting of the account, a powerful ancient civilization where Joseph's account unfolds.<br><br>4. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_thin,_ugly_cows.htm">The Thin, Ugly Cows</a></b><br>Symbolic in Pharaoh's dream, representing years of famine.<br><br>5. <b><a href="/topical/t/the_well-fed_cows.htm">The Well-Fed Cows</a></b><br>Also part of Pharaoh's dream, symbolizing years of abundance.<div class="vheading2">Teaching Points</div><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_sovereignty_in_dreams.htm">God's Sovereignty in Dreams</a></b><br>God can communicate His plans through dreams, as seen in Pharaoh's dream and Joseph's interpretation.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/w/wisdom_and_preparation.htm">Wisdom and Preparation</a></b><br>Joseph's interpretation and subsequent advice to store grain during the years of abundance highlight the importance of preparation and foresight.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/g/god's_provision_in_times_of_famine.htm">God's Provision in Times of Famine</a></b><br>The account demonstrates God's provision and care, even in times of scarcity, through His chosen servant, Joseph.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/f/faithfulness_in_adversity.htm">Faithfulness in Adversity</a></b><br>Joseph's rise to power, despite his earlier hardships, shows the importance of remaining faithful and trusting God's timing.<br><br><b><a href="/topical/t/the_impact_of_godly_leadership.htm">The Impact of Godly Leadership</a></b><br>Joseph's leadership saved Egypt and surrounding nations, illustrating how godly wisdom can have far-reaching effects.<div class="vheading2">Lists and Questions</div><a href="/top10/lessons_from_genesis_41.htm">Top 10 Lessons from Genesis 41</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/are_prophetic_dreams_divinely_sourced.htm">Do prophetic dreams originate from a divine source?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/dreams_visions__meaning_and_reliability.htm">What do dreams and visions mean and their reliability?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/can_7_thin_cows_eat_7_healthy_cows.htm">Genesis 41:1-7: How is it scientifically or naturally possible for seven emaciated cows to devour seven healthy cows?</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/q/is_satan_the_ruler_of_hell.htm">Is Satan the ruler of hell?</a><a name="commentary" id="commentary"></a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><span class="versiontext"><a href="/commentaries/genesis/41-20.htm">Parallel Commentaries ...</a></span><span class="p"><br /><br /><br /></span><a name="lexicon" id="lexicon"></a><div class="vheading">Hebrew</div><span class="word">Then the thin,</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרַקּ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(hā·raq·qō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7534.htm">Strong's 7534: </a> </span><span class="str2">Thin, only, altogether, surely</span><br /><br /><span class="word">ugly</span><br /><span class="heb">וְהָרָע֑וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(wə·hā·rā·‘ō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw, Article | Adjective - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7451.htm">Strong's 7451: </a> </span><span class="str2">Bad, evil</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cows</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפָּר֔וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6510.htm">Strong's 6510: </a> </span><span class="str2">A heifer, cow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">devoured</span><br /><span class="heb">וַתֹּאכַ֙לְנָה֙</span> <span class="translit">(wat·tō·ḵal·nāh)</span><br /><span class="parse">Conjunctive waw | Verb - Qal - Consecutive imperfect - third person feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_398.htm">Strong's 398: </a> </span><span class="str2">To eat</span><br /><br /><span class="word">the seven</span><br /><span class="heb">שֶׁ֧בַע</span> <span class="translit">(še·ḇa‘)</span><br /><span class="parse">Number - feminine singular<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7651.htm">Strong's 7651: </a> </span><span class="str2">Seven, seven times, a week, an indefinite number</span><br /><br /><span class="word">well-fed</span><br /><span class="heb">הַבְּרִיאֹֽת׃</span> <span class="translit">(hab·bə·rî·’ōṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_1277.htm">Strong's 1277: </a> </span><span class="str2">Fatted, plump</span><br /><br /><span class="word">cows</span><br /><span class="heb">הַפָּר֛וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(hap·pā·rō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Noun - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_6510.htm">Strong's 6510: </a> </span><span class="str2">A heifer, cow</span><br /><br /><span class="word">that were there first.</span><br /><span class="heb">הָרִאשֹׁנ֖וֹת</span> <span class="translit">(hā·ri·šō·nō·wṯ)</span><br /><span class="parse">Article | Adjective - feminine plural<br /></span><span class="str"><a href="/hebrew/strongs_7223.htm">Strong's 7223: </a> </span><span class="str2">First, in place, time, rank</span><br /><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><div class="vheading">Links</div><a href="/niv/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 NIV</a><br /><a href="/nlt/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 NLT</a><br /><a href="/esv/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 ESV</a><br /><a href="/nasb/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 NASB</a><br /><a href="/kjv/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 KJV</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="//bibleapps.com/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 BibleApps.com</a><br /><a href="//bibliaparalela.com/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 Biblia Paralela</a><br /><a href="//holybible.com.cn/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 Chinese Bible</a><br /><a href="//saintebible.com/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 French Bible</a><br /><a href="/catholic/genesis/41-20.htm">Genesis 41:20 Catholic Bible</a><span class="p"><br /><br /></span><a href="/genesis/41-20.htm">OT Law: Genesis 41:20 The thin and ugly cattle ate up (Gen. Ge Gn)</a></div></div></td></tr></table></div><div id="left"><a href="/genesis/41-19.htm" onmouseover='lft.src="/leftgif.png"' onmouseout='lft.src="/left.png"' title="Genesis 41:19"><img src="/left.png" name="lft" border="0" alt="Genesis 41:19" /></a></div><div id="right"><a href="/genesis/41-21.htm" onmouseover='rght.src="/rightgif.png"' onmouseout='rght.src="/right.png"' title="Genesis 41:21"><img src="/right.png" name="rght" border="0" alt="Genesis 41:21" /></a></div><div id="botleft"><a href="#" onmouseover='botleft.src="/botleftgif.png"' onmouseout='botleft.src="/botleft.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botleft.png" name="botleft" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="botright"><a href="#" onmouseover='botright.src="/botrightgif.png"' onmouseout='botright.src="/botright.png"' title="Top of Page"><img src="/botright.png" name="botright" border="0" alt="Top of Page" /></a></div><div id="bot"><iframe width="100%" height="1500" scrolling="no" src="/botmenubhnew2.htm" frameborder="0"></iframe></div></td></tr></table></div></body></html>